A new kitchen was a big necessity for the Ponoka Youth Centre and now they finally have one.
The modern looking kitchen is relatively small but has practically everything kids and staff will need. It was officially unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 28.
Beth Reitz, executive director of the centre and the Boys and Girls Club of Wolf Creek, explained the club was one of many that were approved in 2018 under a program through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
“We didn’t have a kitchen and we feed a lot of kids,” she stated.
“It’s just incredible what the project has done and will do for the kids.”
That was a big impetus why the club sent in an application for the Feed Their Future project, sponsored by goeasy — the parent company of easyhome and easyfinancial. Since 2004, the company has partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, raising more than $1.5 million.
However, five years ago, the company put forward a new commitment — to help clubs across the country by constructing 100 safe and functional kitchens over the next decade. Entering this fifth year, goeasy is nearly at half its goal, having completed 40 kitchens to date.
It’s more than just having a prep area for snacks or food, but also about enabling the kids to learn and develop cooking skills as well as learn more about healthy choices.
Reitz noted the new kitchen provides the club with the opportunity to serve a wider variety and greater quality of food and snacks to the kids, plus improves program offerings.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this possible, including the national contacts at goeasy, our local contacts, and the contractor and staff who worked hard to make our new kitchen a reality.”
jordie.dwyer@ponokanews.com
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